Ram Navami in West Bengal: 60 rallies expected in Kolkata; 29 senior IPS officers deployed to prevent unrest

Kolkata, India: In anticipation of Ram Navami on Sunday, the West Bengal administration has ramped up security measures across the state, with 60 rallies expected to take place in Kolkata alone. To ensure peace and prevent any orchestrated unrest, 29 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers have been given special assignments across key districts including Howrah, Hooghly, Barrackpore, Malda, Murshidabad and Siliguri. These officers will remain on duty until Monday.

Major Deployments of IPS officers in vulnerable places

The Kolkata Police will deploy between 3,500 to 4,000 personnel throughout the city to maintain law and order. Senior officers of Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Joint Commissioner rank will be posted at major and traditional rally routes, police sources confirmed. Drone surveillance, CCTV monitoring, and videography will also be implemented for heightened oversight. Picketing has been planned along designated rally routes, while Quick Response Teams (QRTs) will remain on standby. Mobile patrolling, especially in sensitive areas such as Hastings, Entally, and Cossipore, will also be intensified.

Rallies have been announced not only by the BJP and other right-wing Hindu groups but also by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). In areas with significant Hindi-speaking populations — such as Asansol and Siliguri — the TMC is set to hold its own processions. In Jalpaiguri, TMC councillors have reportedly distributed leaflets door-to-door to invite residents to participate in Ram Navami processions.

Kolkata Police Commissioner, Manoj Verma, has stated that any display of weapons during these rallies will be met with legal action. However, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while addressing concerns, remarked, “Just as Punjabis carry a kirpan, similar activities can be conducted within the system.” She further stated that while she has no objection to processions, they must be peaceful.

Sources within the police noted that last year, around 60 rallies were conducted in the city during Ram Navami — a figure expected to be mirrored this year. The Commissioner is scheduled to hold a meeting with senior officers at Lalbazar on Saturday at noon to finalise plans.

History of Violence on Ram Navami in Bengal

Ram Navami celebrations in West Bengal have often been marred by communal tensions and violence in recent years. In 2023, violence broke out in Howrah’s Shibpur area during a Ram Navami procession, leading to arson, vandalism, and clashes between communities. The situation had necessitated the deployment of central forces and the imposition of prohibitory orders.
Similarly, in 2022, clashes erupted in several areas including Shibpur and Rishra, prompting a strong response from law enforcement and drawing political fire from both the ruling party and the opposition. Accusations of incitement and negligence flew thick and fast as the state administration scrambled to restore order.

Given this backdrop, the government appears determined to avoid a repeat of previous years, stressing pre-emptive coordination and visible policing. With multiple political and religious factions taking to the streets this year, authorities are on high alert to ensure that Ram Navami passes peacefully.